ATP world number three Roger Federer has been eliminated from the US Open following a 6-3 4-6 6-4 4-6 2-6 loss to Grigor Dimitrov in his quarter-final clash.
The five-set thriller took a grueling three hours and ten minutes to complete, as Dimitrov clinched his first-ever victory over the multi-US Open champion.
While a seemingly premature exit from Flushing Meadows for Federer, he has enjoyed a vastly successful tennis season to date. He has won 43 of his 49 matches this year, all while at the age of 38. He has also won three titles this year, namely the ATP Masters 1000 Miami, the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships and the Noventi Open in Halle, Germany.
Federer enjoyed some impressive results in the build-up to his match with Dimitrov, including a 6-2 6-2 6-0 drubbing of 15th seeded David Goffin in the Round of 16.
Unfortunately, injury played its role in proceedings, as Federer had to take a medical time out prior to the fifth and final set. While he remained determined to resume play, this injury limited his performance, as he soon trailed Dimitrov 4-0.
Federer had this to say regarding his injury: “This is Grigor’s moment and not my body’s moment…Grigor was able to put me away. I fought with what I had. That’s it. So it’s okay.”
